Seat-sharing negotiations between the and the for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections are in their final stages, Maharashtra minister said on Saturday. He asserted that the ruling alliance will contest the January 15 civic polls united under the Mahayuti banner and expressed confidence that the coalition will capture power in the BMC, Asia’s largest municipal body with 227 wards.

While the alliance partners have not yet officially announced the seat-sharing formula or candidate lists, Samant downplayed speculation over numbers, stating that the focus is on contesting all 227 seats collectively rather than bargaining over individual allocations. Taking a swipe at rival formations such as the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, he claimed some parties were entering alliances merely to protect their political survival. Despite this confidence, alliance leaders have acknowledged that negotiations are still ongoing in several civic bodies, including Thane, Navi Mumbai, Kalyan-Dombivli and Mira Bhayander.

Senior leaders have indicated that the remaining differences are narrowing. Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske said multiple meetings with BJP leaders have already taken place in Thane, with disagreements limited to a handful of wards. In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, minister Sanjay Shirsat said the seat-sharing arrangement is almost finalised. With Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister personally overseeing discussions, the Mahayuti appears determined to present a united front as nominations close on December 30 and Maharashtra heads into a crucial round of civic elections.